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Toledo Firefighters Memorial Highway Announced
Sojourner’s Truth Staff
State Rep. Michael Ashford
and Toledo Fire Fighters IAFF Local 92 President Jeffrey
Koenigseker unveiled the signage for the new “Toledo
Firefighters J. Dickman and S. Machcinski Memorial Highway,”
a stretch of I-75 between Nebraska Avenue and Monroe Street
in Toledo honoring two local firefighters who lost their
lives in the line of duty.
“For the last year and a
half, I have worked with Jess Koenigseker,” said Ashford at
the onset of the announcement. “I praise his dedication and
commitment. Today we are honoring two fallen heroes and
honoring their commitment and sacrifice.”
The event, held at the
Toledo Firefighters IAFF Local 92 Union Hall, was attended
by dozens of firefighters, local elected officials and
dignitaries and members of the fallen firefighters’
families, who were given commemorative plaques of the
signage that will adorn the highway.
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State Rep. Michael Ashford, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
Firefighters Union President Jeffrey Koenigseker
Michael Ashford with
commemorative plaque |
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“The wounds this community
suffers are not healed and will never heal,” said Toledo
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. “But the least we can do is
recognize Stephen Machcinski and Jim Dickman.”
Machcinski and Dickman
were killed during a blaze on January 26, 2014 at 528
Magnolia Street in north Toledo. The building, owned by Ray
Abou-Arab, was judged to be arson and Abou-Arab later was
sentenced to a 20-year maximum prison term after a plea
bargain.
The stretch of I-75 to be
named for the fallen firefighters, is a result of the
passage of Ohio Senate Bill 134 in December which renames
portions of 28 Ohio highways and a bridge. The bill also
creates two dozen new specialty license plates and names a
Kelleys Island picnic area.
The bill was sponsored by
state Sen. Randy Gardner of Bowling Green and includes the
local provision honoring the two firefighters as a result of
efforts by Ashford.
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